As of July 11, 2026, all five African national teams competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been eliminated before the semifinals. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, saw Morocco as the standout performer, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Portugal 1-0 on July 9, 2026.
Other African teams—Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, and Tunisia—were eliminated in earlier rounds. Senegal and Ghana exited in the round of 16, while Cameroon and Tunisia failed to advance past the group stage. This marks a continuation of the historical trend where no African team has ever reached the World Cup semifinals.
Morocco's run was the deepest by an African nation since their own historic semifinal appearance in 2022, where they became the first African team to reach that stage. In 2026, they defeated South Korea in the round of 16 before falling to Portugal. The team's performance was praised for its defensive solidity and tactical discipline.
Analysts cite factors such as limited squad depth, injuries to key players, and the physical demands of the expanded 48-team tournament as challenges for African teams. However, the overall improvement in African football was noted, with Morocco's quarterfinal finish being the best result for the continent in this edition.
